IDEA Bank named finalist for national entrepreneurship education award

The Troy University IDEA Bank has been nationally recognized and named as a finalist for the USASBE Excellence in Co-Curricular Innovation Award, which recognizes the critical and impactful role of co-curricular programming in the overall entrepreneurship education ecosystem.

Presented by the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE), the award encourages and recognizes colleges and universities for innovative, co-curricular programs that demonstrate creativity, quality, sustainability and impact.

In addition to being recognized as a finalist, IDEA Bank Director Lynne George will serve on a finalist panel featuring a discussion on shaping entrepreneurship education and as a presenter in two workshop sessions during the upcoming USASBE 2025 Conference to discuss how the IDEA Bank is shaping entrepreneurship education.

“I am honored to represent Troy University at the upcoming USASBE Conference,” she said. “Being recognized as a finalist in the Excellence in Co-Curricular Innovation category during just my second year at the conference, while also being selected present on our impactful programs, speaks volumes about the IDEA Bank’s team’s dedication to growth and collaboration.

“I am excited to share what we have learned, but I am even more eager to connect with like-minded innovators and gain insights that will help us further support our students and the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Alabama.”

Since its launch in 2021, the IDEA Bank has provided a wide variety of opportunities for students to ideate and launch their own ventures. The newly-launched Student-Made Store is a student-driven retail store that gives young entrepreneurs real-world business experience by providing them an avenue to showcase and sell their products online and in the first-of-its-kind, brick-and-mortar retail store located in Downtown Troy; meanwhile, the D.A.R.T. Board Program fosters the connection of student entrepreneurs and creatives, promoting mutual growth and development between student-owned businesses and creative freelancers.

“The IDEA Bank goes above and beyond to serve as an empowering hub of entrepreneurial resources for both the student and local community,” said IDEA Bank Program Coordinator Mauree Alice McCall. “Student-Made Store and D.A.R.T. are just a few of the initiatives we offer that allow students to gain hands-on business experience, education and access to funding resources.

“These programs serve as models for universities in the country desiring to improve their entrepreneurship education and initiatives by equipping students with business, personal and professional skills while developing their entrepreneurial mindset.”

The winner of the USASBE Excellence in Co-Curricular Innovation Award will be announced at the USASBE 2025 Conference, taking place February 12-15 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Learn more about the Troy University IDEA Bank and its entrepreneurship programs at troy.edu/ideabank by calling/texting IDEAS to 334-808-6777.